Apparatus and method for controlling environmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh networks

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for controlling environmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh networks. An example embodiment includes receiving an alert message from a reporting wireless network sensor of a plurality of wireless network sensors via a wireless sensor network, the alert message including information indicative of a modification needed to an environmental condition; and using the information indicative of a modification needed to an environmental condition at a networked controller to command a device capable of modifying the environmental condition to modify the environmental condition in a manner corresponding to the information in the alert message.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of environmentalcontrol, and more particularly to environmental control in data centers.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and dataas described below and in the drawings that form a part of thisdocument: Copyright 2008 SynapSense Corporation, All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

A data center can be modeled as rows of racks that house electronicsystems, such as computing systems. The computing systems (such ascomputers, storage devices, networking devices, etc.) consume power fortheir operation. In addition, these computing systems disperse largeamounts of heat during their operation. The computing systems can alsoaffect the humidity, airflow, and other environmental conditions in thedata center. In order to ensure proper operation of these systems, thecomputing systems need to be maintained within tight operating ranges ofenvironmental conditions (e.g., temperature). The computing systems mayalso need to be maintained within a desired humidity range, a desiredair pressure range, and without the presence of moisture or fire. Thefailure to maintain such environmental conditions results in systemfailures.

Conventional data centers employ different forms of environmentalcontrol devices or cooling mechanisms to keep the computing systemswithin a safe temperature range. For example, in most data centers,cooling units, such as computer room air conditioning (A/C) or airhandling units distribute cold air or cold liquid to different racks viaaisles between the racks. The computing systems of the data centerreside in these racks.

There is a significant energy cost associated with maintaining safeenvironmental conditions in a data center. Cold air and sometimes liquidcoolant must be moved through the aisles, racks, and computing systems.In order to optimize this energy usage for controlling environmentalconditions, the environmental control devices in the data center mustprecisely control the volume and temperature of the cooling air orliquid that must be pushed through the sub-plenum and racks of the datacenter. Unfortunately, many data centers operate by pushing too muchcooling air or liquid at very low temperature, thereby incurringsignificant and unnecessary energy costs. Other data centers must coolan entire room to meet the environmental requirements for a singlecomputing device, thereby wasting energy relative to the other computingdevices in the data center.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,870 describes a method for evaluating one or morecomponents in a data center, in which inlet and outlet temperatures ofone or more heat dissipating devices are detected. In addition, thetemperatures of air supplied by one or more computer room airconditioning (CRAC) units are also detected. Indices of airre-circulation for the one or more heat dissipating devices arecalculated based upon the detected inlet temperatures, outlettemperatures and supplied air temperatures. The indices of airre-circulation are determined at various flow field settings of airdelivered to the one or more heat dissipating devices and the one ormore components are evaluated based upon changes in the indices of airre-circulation for the one or more heat dissipating devices at thevarious flow field settings.

Thus, an apparatus and method for controlling environmental conditionsin a data center using wireless mesh networks are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a mesh network environment in which variousembodiments can operate.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a node that can operate in amesh network.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a prior art process for cooling racksin a data center.

FIG. 4 illustrates a data center configuration of a particularembodiment that includes a set of racks that support stacked sets ofelectronic equipment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example deployment of a particular embodiment in adata center.

FIG. 6 illustrates the influence zones associated with the differentracks as determined at the influence zone calibration phase.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow diagrams illustrating the processing flow forparticular example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosedsubject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and structural changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is provided an apparatus and method forcontrolling environmental conditions in a data center using wirelessmesh networks. A particular embodiment relates to a network of radiofrequency (RF) devices (wireless nodes) that include one or more sensingdevices capable of sensing various environmental conditions. Then, usingwireless data communications, the wireless nodes can communicate sensorinformation, environmental information, or network information withother nodes of the network or with a set of network controllers (e.g.,gateways). The network and node configuration in a particular embodimentare described in more detail below.

The various example embodiments of the disclosed system and methodinclude an adaptive method for controlling the volume and temperature ofcooling air or liquid used to cool a data center. As described in moredetail below, the various embodiments provide several advantages. Theseadvantages include the following:

-   -   The system and method use distributed wireless pressure        differential sensors to monitor and characterize the volume of        air that is being distributed in a data center.    -   The system and method use distributed wireless temperature        sensors to characterize the temperature distribution within a        data center.    -   The system and method use a wireless-based distributed control        architecture. In this architecture, an array of control devices        manages the operation of cooling units within the data center.        Unlike the centralized control scheme in conventional systems,        the various embodiments described herein have no single point of        failure. Such architecture facilitates distributed        decision-making, redundancy and fail-over.    -   The system and method use a coordinated control scheme for        managing multiple cooling units for optimal cooling.    -   The system and method use a local control scheme in which a        controller uses local sensing information to control the        operation of associated cooling units.    -   The system and method define a control scheme that is based on        multiple sensing modalities such as temperature and differential        pressure.

These and other advantages of the various embodiments described hereinwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure.

Wireless mesh network technology can be used for deploying sensors asnodes in a variety of different environments for monitoring diverseparameters such as, for example, temperature, pressure, humidity,airflow/fluid flow, the presence of moisture, the presence of smoke orfire, and the like. These types of networks can be denoted wirelesssensor networks (WSN). Each sensor in a WSN is typically powered by abattery and therefore capable of operating in a wireless configuration.As described in more detail below, the sensors can constantly monitorthe environment for various environmental conditions and may communicatewith other nodes and/or a network controller or gateway.

FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment of an example embodimentincluding a mesh network 110 of wireless sensors 112. Each of thesensors can be implemented as the combination of components illustratedin FIG. 2 and described in more detail below. Wireless sensor network(WSN) 110 includes a set of wireless sensors 112 (nodes), each in datacommunication with others of its proximate neighbor nodes. The nodes 112can communicate using established data communication protocols,typically at the Media Access Control (MAC) Layer. The MAC Layer is oneof two sub-layers that make up the Data Link Layer of the well-known OSInetworking model. The MAC layer is responsible for moving data packetsto and from the network interface of one node to another node across ashared channel. A node can be any vertex or intersection in thecommunication network 110. A node may be passive or intelligent. In aparticular embodiment, a node is assumed to be an intelligent nodecapable of receiving and analyzing information, taking certain actionsas a result of received information, including the storing of receivedor processed information, modifying at least part of receivedinformation, and in some instances originating and retransmittinginformation. The details of a node of a particular embodiment aredetailed in FIG. 2.

Referring still to FIG. 1, data packets or messages can be directedbetween any two nodes of the WSN 110 as each node 112 has a uniqueidentifier. A data packet or message is a self-contained unit oftransmitted information. Typically, a data packet has a header, apayload, and an optional trailer. A link is a path which originates atone node and terminates at one other node. A link or path between nodesmay include multiple hops between a plurality of intermediate nodesprior to reaching a destination node. The transfer of messages betweentwo nodes of WSN 110 in a unicast or broadcast transmission is termed alocal communication.

Each of the nodes 112 of WSN 110 can also communicate with a gateway 105via a gateway interface 106. The gateway 105 provides a connectionbetween the WSN 110 and an analysis processor 100. Analysis processor100 can be used to receive sensor data from any of the nodes 112 of WSN110 via gateway 105 and to analyze the sensor data for aggregatedenvironmental monitoring and control. Gateway 105 and analysis processor100 can use a conventional data storage device 104 for data storage andretrieval. Analysis processor 100 can also include a connection to awide area network 108, such as the Internet. In this manner, the gateway105 and the WSN 110 can obtain access to the Internet.

The WSN 110 can be configured in any of a variety of ways. Nodes 112 canbe added, removed, or moved within the array of nodes of WSN 110. Eachof the nodes 112 include functionality to join or reconfigure themselvesin the WSN 110 when a node is added or moved. As part of thisfunctionality, each node 112 can discover its neighbor nodes andautomatically negotiate and establish communication paths with thoseneighbors. A node can be in direct data communication with neighborsthat are within the radio reception range of the node. Depending on thestrength of the wireless transceivers (e.g., radios) within each node112, the distance between neighbor nodes is variable. Given that in someapplications the environment in which WSN 110 is being used may besubject to radio interference, it is possible that the wireless datacommunications between nodes may be disrupted. In these cases, each nodecan sense the loss of data communications with a neighbor and mayreconfigure itself to use alternate data paths through other functioningnodes of WSN 110. As such, the WSN 110 is highly adaptable to changingconditions in the environment and in the configuration of the wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a network node or sensor unit 200 within which a set ofinstructions, for causing the node to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In alternativeembodiments, the node operates as a standalone device or may beconnected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the node may operate in the capacity of a server or a clientmachine in client-server network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment, such as a meshnetwork. The node may be a computer, an intelligent sensor, a logicdevice, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a hard-wired module, a network router,gateway, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. Further, while a single machine is illustrated in FIG.2, the term “machine” or “node” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The example node 200 includes a processor 202 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU)), a main memory 204 and optionally a static memory206, which communicate with each other via a bus 201. The node 200 mayfurther include one or more sensor devices 212, 214, and 216. Thesesensor devices can include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, airpressure sensors, air flow sensors, moisture detectors, carbon monoxidedetectors, smoke detectors, motion detectors, seismic detectors, and/orother types of sensors for detecting and measuring a desiredenvironmental condition.

The node 200 may further include a non-volatile memory 218, a controlsignal generation device 222, and a network interface device 208 (e.g.,a radio transceiver or wireless device capable of connection with anetwork). The non-volatile memory 218 includes a machine-readable medium219 in which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., softwareand data 220) embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein. The instructions 220 may also reside,completely or partially, within the main memory 204, the static memory206, and/or within the processor 202 during execution thereof by thenode 200. The main memory 204, static memory 206, and the processor 202also may constitute machine-readable media. The software, instructions,and/or related data 220 may further be transmitted or received over anetwork 210 via the network interface device 208. The network interfacedevice 208, in a wireless node configuration of one embodiment, mayinclude a radio transceiver for sending and receiving data to/fromnetwork 210 using a wireless data transfer protocol, such as the familyof 802.11 standards from IEEE. In this manner, node 200 can performwireless data communications with other nodes of WSN 110. The controlsignal generation device 222 can be used to control the operation of anenvironmental management system, such as a heating/ventilating/airconditioning (HVAC) system, a fan, a heat pump, or other device orsystem that can alter the environmental conditions being monitored bysensors 212, 214, and 216.

Typically in wireless network systems, the wireless data transceivers(e.g., radios) in the network nodes consume the most electrical powerand represent the largest drain on the node's battery power. As such,the radio should be turned off for most of the time to increase thebattery lifetime of the nodes. In an example embodiment, all nodes ofWSN 110 are time synchronized. Each node wakes up for a short period oftime for radio communication with other nodes or the gateway. Then, thenode's radio is shut off and the node sleeps until the nextcommunication cycle.

FIG. 3 illustrates the organization of a conventional data center andthe standard process for controlling the temperature in the center. Asshown, the well-known data center configuration includes a set of racks310 that support stacked sets of electronic equipment. Because theoperating electronic equipment generates heat, it is necessary to coolthis equipment with a computer room air conditioning (CRAC) unit 312(also denoted herein as a computer room air handler-CRAH). The CRAC 312generates cold air that is pumped through a space 314 under a raisedfloor into different aisles (e.g., aisle 316) between racks 310. Theaisles (e.g., aisles 316 and 318) are organized into cold and hotaisles. Aisle 316 is a cold aisle. Aisle 318 is a hot aisle. In the coldaisles (e.g., aisle 316), the input side of the air inlets of theelectronic equipment in racks 310 face the cold aisle (e.g., aisle 316).The cool air is pumped into the cold aisle 316. The cool air then movesthrough the air inlets of the electronic equipment in racks 310 keepingthese systems cool. As the air moves through the racks 310, the airgains heat from the electronic equipment. The heated air exits the racks310 and moves into the hot aisles (e.g., aisle 318). The heated airrises out of the hot aisles and eventually returns to the input side ofthe CRAC 312 where the heated air can be cooled and again cycled throughracks 310.

Although the conventional data center air conditioning systemillustrated in FIG. 3 and described above can control the temperature ina data center, the conventional system is not energy efficient. Further,the conventional system cannot distinguish between the coolingrequirements for the different electronic devices in racks 310. Forexample, it is possible that some electronic systems in racks 310 mayrun hotter than other systems. Some systems may require a greater orlesser air flow rate. The conventional system is not sensitive to theindividual environmental needs of each of the electronic devices inracks 310.

As described herein, an apparatus and method for controllingenvironmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh networksis disclosed. The apparatus and method in a particular embodimentinclude using a network of wireless sensors to monitor variousenvironmental conditions in specific locations in a data center overtime, predict the thermal and pressure trending of the specificlocations at a future point in time, and generate control signals todrive particular environmental conditions towards a desired state. Theadaptive environmental control method and apparatus described andclaimed herein enable more efficient control of environmental conditionsin a data center and thereby enable significant savings in energyconsumption.

FIG. 4 illustrates a data center configuration of a particularembodiment that includes a set of racks 310 that support stacked sets ofelectronic equipment. In the illustrated example, wireless sensordevices 410 have been installed at various points on each side of eachof racks 310. The wireless sensor devices 410 can be implemented as thedevices illustrated in FIG. 2 and described above. As described above inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the wireless sensor devices 410 arewirelessly networked together in a network 110 (shown in FIG. 1) and indata communications with a gateway 105 and an analysis processor 100.Each of the sensors 410 can be configured to sense various environmentalconditions, such as temperature. At a predetermined and configurabletime interval, sensors 410 can measure the temperature and otherenvironmental conditions at each sensor location and retain theenvironmental data measurements along with a timestamp associated witheach environmental data measurement. Using the data network 110, thesensors 410 can transmit time-stamped environmental data along with asensor identifier to the analysis processor 100 for processing. In thismanner, the analysis processor 100 can collect the time-stampedenvironmental data from each of the sensors 410 installed in racks 310.It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon readingthis patent disclosure that an arbitrary number of sensors 410 can beinstalled in the racks 310 in arbitrary positions within each rack of aparticular data center. In general, the greater number of sensors 410increases the ability for the system to detect more subtle changes inthe environmental conditions within the data center as will be describedin more detail below.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example deployment of a particular embodiment in adata center. As will be described in more detail below, the typicaldeployment includes an array of networked devices in a distributednetwork architecture. In a particular example embodiment, the adaptivesystem described herein can include several kinds of devices, includingwireless sensors, gateways and routers, and controllers that aredistributed in the data center. FIG. 5 illustrates such an examplesystem 500.

The characteristics of the different devices distributed in system 500are described below and illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. A particular datacenter can include a plurality of racks 502 in which electroniccomponents needing environmental control are positioned. There can be nenvironmental sensors 504 (e.g., temperature sensors) associated with arack 502 (i: S_(i) ¹,S_(i) ², . . . S_(i) ^(n)). ASHRAE (AmericanSociety of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers)recommends n to be 3; in actual deployments, n may vary depending on thedesired granularity of sensing. In some deployments, n sensors may alsobe placed on the hot side of a rack 502. In some deployments, all racks502 may have temperature sensors 504; in other deployments, only thealternate racks or every third rack may have these sensors 504. Racks502 that have temperature sensors 504 will typically have a humiditysensor at the top of the rack as well. As shown in FIG. 5, sensors T1and T2 are examples of rack sensors 504 that monitor temperature andhumidity at the racks 502. Each of the sensors 504 can be wirelessnetwork sensors connectable in a wireless sensor network as describedabove.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the example data center includes fourcooling units (CU1, CU2, CU3, and CU4). Each cooling unit can have twosensors associated with the cooling unit: one sensor at the supply sideof the cooling unit monitors the supply temperature and humidity beingoutput by the cooling unit; another sensor at the return side of thecooling unit monitors the return temperature and humidity being input tothe cooling unit. As shown in FIG. 5, sensor C1, for example, providesthe supply and return temperature, and humidity at the cooling unit CU1.Other sensors, C2, C3, and C4 perform similar functions for coolingunits CU2, CU3, and CU4, respectively. As will be described in moredetail below, sensors C1, C2, C3, and C4 can be combined with acontroller function to control the operation of the correspondingcooling unit. Further, each of the sensors C1, C2, C3, and C4 can bewireless network sensors connectable in a wireless sensor network asdescribed above.

For raised floor type supply air delivery as is common in conventionaldata centers, pressure sensors can be deployed below the raised floor tomeasure the differential pressure between the sub-floor plenum and roompressure. Pressure sensors can be placed under the raised floor andattached to the underside of tiles at ends of cold aisles, in hotaisles, and in cold aisles where solid vs. perforated tiles areavailable. For overhead supply air delivery, pressure sensors can bedeployed to measure the differential pressure between the supply airduct and the room as measured in the cold aisles. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, the example data center includes four differentialpressure sensors, P1, P2, P3, and P4. Each of the pressure sensors, P1,P2, P3, and P4 can be wireless network sensors connectable in a wirelesssensor network as described above.

Each cooling unit (CU1, CU2, CU3, and CU4) is controlled by two internalcontrollers: a Unit controller and a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)controller. The unit controller usually comes with the cooling unit andis used, (a) to change the supply temperature of the cooling air/liquidthat the cooling unit is supplying (outputting), and (b) to access thestatus of the cooling unit via the WSN. Each cooling unit may haveseveral VFD units that control the fans on the cooling units. Each VFDunit has a VFD controller that is used to change the fan speed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the example system 500 includes awireless controller device (WCD) associated with each cooling unit. Awireless controller device is similar to a wireless sensor device(described above) in that the WCD can process data, store localinformation, and use the wireless radio to transmit information on theWSN. In a particular embodiment, the WCD functionality can be combinedwith the sensor functionality of sensors C1, C2, C3, and C4. The WCDalso includes additional hardware infrastructure to connect with thecontrollers (e.g., the unit controller and VFD controllers) on thecooling units. The WCD hardware infrastructure, for example, cancommunicate with the cooling unit's controllers through one of thestandard protocols (such as, ModBus, BacNet, SNMP and LonTalk) orthrough a 4-20 ma direct connection. The WCD controls the operation of acooling unit by, (a) modifying the set points for the supply temperatureand humidity on an internal CRAC controller, and (b) by changing thecooling unit's fan speed through the VFD controller. In the particularembodiment shown in FIG. 5, the system 500 includes four WCD's (C1, C2,C3, and C4) as combined with cooling unit sensors described above. Eachof the sensor/controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4 can be wireless networksensor/controllers connectable in a wireless sensor network as describedabove.

Gateways connect the wireless sensors 504 and sensor/controllers C1, C2,C3, and C4 to an IP network, such as the Internet. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, the example data center includes two gateways, G1 andG2, connected to a data network 506. The sensors 504 andsensor/controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4 connect to the IP-based networkthrough G1 and G2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the example system 500 includes acentralized software system, called Analysis and Control Unit (ACU) 510,which stores all of the sensing, control, and status information that isforwarded to the gateways G1 and G2 by the wireless sensors 504 andsensor/controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4. The ACU 510 is primarily arepository of information and system-wide data processing for system500.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the wireless sensors 504,sensor/controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4, and gateways G1 and G2 (denotedgenerally herein as the network devices) cooperate to build a mesh datacommunications network that provides connectivity among the networkdevices. In a particular embodiment, several sets of communicationpaths, described below, are created among the different network devicesof system 500. Each sensing or control network device (i.e., thewireless sensors 504 and sensor/controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4) hasmulti-hop communication paths to the set of gateways, G1 and G2. Eachsensing or control network device can periodically send sensor and/orcontrol information, device status, cooling unit status, etc. to thegateways G1 and G2. The sensor and/or control information is thenaggregated at the ACU 510. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, networksensing device T1 can send sensing information, gathered by sensor T1,to gateway G1 by routing the sensing information through network sensingdevices T2 and T3.

Gateways have communication paths to all sensing and control devices ina particular system. Gateways can send commands, status information, ordata center relevant information to the network devices. For example, inthe example embodiment shown in FIG. 5, Gateway G2 can request thatcontroller C2, sensors T1, T2 and T3, and other gateways provide theircurrent status.

Each sensing device 504 has communication paths to a fixed number ofcontrollers (e.g., controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4). Each sensing device504 can use the communication paths to distribute sensor data (such astemperature, pressure and humidity) to particular controllers in thewireless sensor network on a periodical basis.

Controllers (e.g., controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4) have communicationpaths to some of the network sensing devices 504. The controllers cansend status information or request the sensing devices 504 to providelatest sensor data.

Controllers also have communication paths to other controllers. Thecontrollers (e.g., controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4) can communicate witheach other in order to cooperatively control several cooling units. Forexample, controllers C1 and C2 can communicate with each other to ensurethat the fan speeds on the cooling units CU1 and CU2 provide theappropriate amount of cooling air/liquid to the racks influenced bycooling units CU1 and CU2.

The entire environmental adaptation system 500 can operate by deployingthe different wireless sensing and control devices in a data center asdescribed above. Once the system of network devices has been deployed,the system 500 can operate by going through several phases. These phasesinclude, 1) the system initialization phase, 2) the influence zonecalibration phase, 3) the normal operation phase, and 4) the systemadaptation phase. These system phases of a particular embodiment aredescribed in detail below.

The networked wireless sensing devices 504, routers, controllers (e.g.,controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4) and gateways (e.g., G1 and G2) of aparticular environmental adaptation system can communicate with eachother during an initialization phase. In this phase, a multi-hop meshnetworking infrastructure can be built that allows network devices tocommunicate information with each other.

During the influence zone calibration phase, controllers (e.g.,controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4) and sensing devices 504 go through acalibration process to learn how specific cooling units (e.g., CU1, CU2,CU3, and CU4) influence specific parts or zones of the data center. FIG.6 illustrates an example data center with cooling units, racks, andnetwork devices. FIG. 6 also illustrates the influence zones associatedwith the different cooling units. The influence zone of a cooling unitincludes all racks whose thermal conditions are affected by thetemperature and the volume of the cooling liquid that the cooling unitsupplies. As shown in the example of FIG. 6, the environmentalconditions in rack 1 are influenced by CU1, whereas the environmentalconditions in rack 7 are influenced by both CU1 and CU3. The calibrationprocess that identifies the influence zones for every cooling unit canbe done either manually or automatically. The calibration processresults in influence zone tables that include information associatingparticular cooling units (e.g., CU1, CU2, CU3, and CU4), controllers,and networked sensing devices 504 with the specific zones of the datacenter. The influence zone tables can be used during the systemadaptation phase as described below. The influence zone tables can bestored at each networked sensing device 504, the control nodes, and/orstored centrally at the controllers or the ACU 510.

During the normal operation, the networked sensing devices 504 monitorthe environmental conditions periodically, and send the environmentalstatus information to one of the gateways (e.g., G1 or G2) andassociated controllers (e.g., controllers C1, C2, C3, and C4). In asteady state, the environmental conditions are within prescribed limits,and no adaptations are needed. However, if the environmental conditionsare outside of prescribed limits, a system adaptation phase of system500 is entered as described below.

As the environmental conditions of a particular data center changeduring normal operation—possibly due to the increased or decreased loador due to the loss of one or more cooling units—both the volume and thetemperature of the cooling air/liquid need to be changed in order tomeet the new operational needs and to bring the environmental conditionsof the data center within prescribed limits. The system adaptation willtypically involve changing the temperature set points and/or changingthe fan speed on the different cooling units (e.g., CU1, CU2, CU3, orCU4). The distributed adaptation system of a particular embodiment asdescribed herein provides the infrastructure to, (a) identify theenvironmental conditions that have changed, (b) identify the coolingunits that are affected, (c) notify the relevant cooling unitcontrollers of the required changes, (d) effect the changes required,and (e) use the deployed networked sensors 504 as a feedback mechanismto ensure that changes at the cooling units have resulted in safe,effective, and efficient operation. Further details of the distributedadaptation system of a particular embodiment are provided below.

The wireless temperature sensors 504 of an example embodiment maintaintwo configurable threshold values: maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin). Atemperature higher than Tmax (i.e., outside of prescribed limits)highlights unsafe operating conditions for electronic systems stored inracks 502 near the networked sensing device 504. A temperature lowerthan Tmin (i.e., outside of prescribed limits) indicates overcooling,resulting in energy inefficiency. One goal of the distributed adaptationsystem of a particular embodiment is to maintain the temperature at theinlets of the racks 502 between Tmin and Tmax (i.e., within prescribedlimits).

In a particular embodiment, temperature adaptation in system 500 takesplace in the following manner. First, each networked sensing device 504reads the temperature (T) periodically at its location. If the measuredtemperature is between Tmin and Tmax as previously configured, thenetworked sensing device 504 can send this measured temperatureinformation or current status to the nearest gateway (i.e., G1 or G2).The gateway can transfer this information to ACU 510 via network 506.The ACU 510 may store this information for later processing according toa pre-determined processing interval or the ACU 510 may process theinformation from networked sensing devices 504 on receipt. However, iftemperature (T) as measured by a particular networked sensing device 506is outside the pre-configured [Tmin, Tmax] range, the particularnetworked sensing device 504 enters an adaptation mode. In theadaptation mode, the networked sensing device 504 can access itsinfluence zone table and identify the cooling units (e.g., CU1, CU2,CU3, or CU4) and associated controllers (e.g., C1, C2, C3, and C4) thatare associated with (i.e., that can influence the environmentalconditions of the locations proximate to) the particular networkedsensing device 504. Once the networked sensing device 504 has identifiedthe associated controller(s) that can influence the relevant locations,the networked sensing device 504 can send a message to the associatedcontrollers (e.g., C1, C2, C3, and C4) and the nearest gateway (e.g., G1or G2). The message sent by the networked sensing device 504 can includeinformation requesting the associated controller(s) to issue commands toits associated cooling unit to cause the cooling unit to seek a desiredenvironmental condition. For example, if the networked sensing device504 has determined that the temperature (T) as measured by theparticular networked sensing device 506 is higher than Tmax, thenetworked sensing device 504 can request the associated controller(s) toissue commands to its associated cooling unit to cause the cooling unitto lower its supply temperature or increase its fan speed or both. Ifthe networked sensing device 504 has determined that the temperature (T)as measured by the particular networked sensing device 506 is lower thanTmin, the networked sensing device 504 can request the associatedcontroller(s) to issue commands to its associated cooling unit to causethe cooling unit to increase its supply temperature or decrease its fanspeed or both. Similarly, if the networked sensing device 504 hasdetermined that the pressure or humidity as measured by the particularnetworked sensing device 506 is outside of prescribed limits, thenetworked sensing device 504 can request the associated controller(s) toissue commands to its associated cooling unit to cause the cooling unitto effect a change in the relevant environmental condition.

In the adaptation mode, the networked sensing device 506 can beconfigured to sense and measure the various environmental conditionsmore often to record any changes as the system 500 seeks a desiredenvironmental condition. As changes to the environmental conditionsoccur, the networked sensing device 506 can send information identifyingthe changes to the environmental conditions back to the networkedcontroller as a feedback. In this manner, the networked sensing device506 can assist the networked controller to determine the rate at whichthe environmental conditions are changing. If the environmentalconditions are not changing fast enough (or changing too fast), thecontroller can react and command the cooling unit(s) accordingly.

In a particular embodiment, the behavior of a networked temperaturesensing device can be described in detail below.

-   -   Configure the following parameters for the device:

 L = Location of device  Id = Identifier of the device  Tmin = Lowerbound on temperature at location L  Tmax = Upper bound on temperature atlocation L  sn = elapsed time between sensing during normal mode  sh =elapsed time between sensing during overheated mode  mh = maximum timeto wait for temperature to become < Tmax  sl = elapsed time betweensensing during overcooled mode  ml = maximum time to wait fortemperature to become > Tmin  mode = normal forever do  T = sensecurrent temperature;  if T > Tmax then // rack is overheated    mode =overheated    C = find controllers that influence location L;    Send<T, Tmax, id, L, mode, C> to all controllers in C;    repeat      Sleepfor sh seconds;      T = sense current temperature;      if T < Tmaxthen        mode = normal        Send acknowledgement to all controllersin C;      else if wait time > mh        Send request to controllers inC again;        Send an alarm condition to CACU      end if    until(mode == normal)  else if T < Tmin then // rack is overcooled    mode =overcooled    C = find controllers that influence location L;    Send<T, Tmax, id, L, mode, C> to all controllers in C;    repeat      Sleepfor sl seconds;      T = sense current temperature;      if T > Tminthen        mode = normal        Send acknowledgement to all controllersin C;      else if wait time > ml        send request to controllersagain;        send an alarm condition to controller;      end if   until (mode == normal)  end if  sleep for sn seconds; end

A networked controller device (e.g., C1, C2, C3, and C4) manages, amongother environmental conditions, the supply temperature of the coolingair/liquid provided by the cooling unit the networked controller devicecontrols. The networked controller constantly (e.g., at pre-configuredperiodic intervals) monitors the status of the cooling unit thenetworked controller device controls. The networked controller can passthe status and other operational information to the associated gatewaysperiodically. If the networked controller receives a temperature alertmessage from a reporting networked sensing device 504 indicating thatthe temperature at the networked sensing device 504 is higher than apre-configured threshold (i.e., outside of prescribed limits), thenetworked controller enters an overheat compensation mode. In this mode,the network controller uses the influence zone table to determine allthe other cooling units that affect this specific rack. The networkcontroller then exchanges messages with the controllers associated withthese cooling units to determine a supply temperature that needs to beset at the associated cooling unit in order to bring the temperature atthe networked sensing device within the allowable range (i.e., withinprescribed limits). The networked controller can then use the calculatedsupply temperature to send a set point command to the cooling unit. Thenetworked controller remains in the overheat compensation mode and mayperiodically send the set point command to the cooling unit (CRAC/CRAHunit) until the networked controller has received an acknowledgementfrom the reporting networked sensing device 504. The acknowledgement canindicate that the temperature at the networked sensing device hastransitioned to a temperature less than the maximum threshold (i.e., thetemperature has fallen within prescribed limits). In addition to theacknowledgement from the reporting networked sensing device 504, thenetworked controller can also check the supply and return temperaturesensors at the cooling unit to ensure that the cooling unit isresponding to its control commands. Further, the networked controllercan receive periodic information messages (feedback) from the reportingnetworked sensing device 506 identifying the changes occurring to theenvironmental conditions. In this manner, the networked sensing device506 can assist the networked controller to determine the rate at whichthe environmental conditions are changing. If the environmentalconditions are not changing fast enough (or changing too fast), thenetworked controller can react and adjust the set point command for thecooling unit(s) accordingly.

Similarly, if the networked controller receives a temperature alertmessage from a reporting networked sensing device 504 indicating thatthe temperature at the networked sensing device 504 is lower than apre-configured threshold (i.e., outside of prescribed limits), thenetworked controller enters an undertemp compensation mode. In thismode, the network controller uses the influence zone table to determineall the other cooling units that affect this specific rack. The networkcontroller then exchanges messages with the controllers associated withthese cooling units to determine a new supply temperature that needs tobe set at the associated cooling unit in order to bring the temperatureat the networked sensing device within the allowable range (i.e., withinprescribed limits). The networked controller can then use the calculatedsupply temperature to send a set point command to the cooling unit tocause the cooling unit to increase its supply temperature. This increasein supply temperature can be achieved in incremental steps. For example,after changing the set point of the cooling unit by about t degrees, thenetworked controller can wait for an acknowledgment or informationmessage from the reporting networked sensing device 504. The networkedcontroller can continue to increase the set point temperature of thecooling unit until the acknowledgement or feedback from the reportingnetworked sensing device 504 indicates that the temperature hastransitioned to within the desired range (i.e., within prescribedlimits). In addition, the controller also informs the other controllersand the gateways of the action that the controller has taken.

In a particular embodiment, the behavior of a networked controller forcontrolling temperature can be described in detail below.

-   -   Configure the following parameters for the device:

 Sa = Amount of time controller waits for an ack from devices  smax =Maximum amount of time controller waits for ack  Tdef = Defaulttemperature setting for cooling unit  CU = cooling unit associated withcontroller device  izt = List of devices that CU influences forever do wait for messages from devices and controllers;  if message = <T, Th,id, L, mode, C> from a device then    C = Other controllers that affectthe same zone    Find zone and cooling information associated with id   sp = Calculate new set point based on sensed temperature    Send <T,Th, id, L, CU, sp> to other controllers  else if message = <T, Th, id,L, CU, spi> from controller i then    Final set point sp = function(spi) over all i in C;    CU.temperature set point = sp;    Monitor forchanges in supply temperature of CU;    if detect changes in outputtemperature then      Wait for acknowledgement from device id;      if(Acknowledgement received) then        Send (status, set point) togateways;        Send (Status, set point) to other controllers;       Continue with normal operation      else (no acknowledgement fromdevice id) then        CU.set point = Tdef;        Send (status, setpoint) to gateways;        Send (Status, set point) to othercontrollers;      end if    else if no changes detected within fixedamount of time then      Reset CU to its default status;      Send CRACstatus to gateway;    end  end end

Networked controller devices (e.g., C1, C2, C3, and C4) can use wirelesspressure differential sensors 504 to ensure that the appropriate volumeof cooling air/liquid is supplied to the data center. In a particularembodiment, this volume control is achieved by attaching a VariableFrequency Drive (VFD) with each cooling unit. The networked controllerdevices can be configured to control the speed set for the VFD's of thecooling unit. By changing the speed on the VFD's, the networkedcontroller devices can control the volume of cooling air/liquid suppliedby the cooling unit. The wireless pressure differential sensors 504 canmonitor for changes in pressure with respect to a user-selectablethreshold value and provide the networked controller with informationindicating the pressure conditions at the location of the reportingnetworked sensor 504. Using this information, the networked controllercan adjust the speed set for the VFD's of the cooling unit and therebyadjust the volume of cooling air/liquid supplied by the cooling unit tobring the pressure at the reporting networked sensor 504 location towithin prescribed limits.

In a particular embodiment, the behavior of a pressure differentialsensor can be described in detail below.

-   -   Configure the following parameters for the device:

 L = Location of device  Id = Identifier of the device  Pmin = Lowerbound on press. diff. at location L  Pmax = Upper bound on press. diff.at location L  sn = elapsed time between sensing during normal mode  sh= elapsed time between sensing during over pressurized mode  mh =maximum time to wait for pressure diff. to become < Pmax  sl = elapsedtime between sensing during under pressurized mode  ml = maximum time towait for press. diff. to become > Pmin  mode = normal forever do  P =sense current pressure differential;  if P > Pmax then // zone isover-pressurized then    mode = over-pressurized    C = find controllersthat influence location L    Send <P, Pmax, id, L, mode, C> to allcontrollers in C;    repeat      sleep for sh seconds;      T = sensecurrent pressure differential;      if P < Pmax        mode = normal       Send acknowledgement to all controllers in C;      else if waittime > mh then        Send request to controllers in C again;       Send an alarm condition to CACU      end if    until (mode ==normal)  else if P < Pmin then // zone is under-pressurized    mode =under-pressurized    C = find controllers that influence location L;   Send <P, Pmax, id, L, mode, C> to all controllers in C;    repeat     Sleep for sl seconds;      T = sense current pressure differential;     if P > Pmin then        mode = normal        Send acknowledgementto all controllers in C;      else if wait time > ml then        sendrequest to controllers again;        send an alarm condition tocontroller;      end if    until (mode == normal)  end if  sleep for snseconds; end

Networked controller devices (e.g., C1, C2, C3, and C4) receive pressureinformation from the wireless pressure differential sensors 504. If thedifferential pressure measured at a particular reporting networkedsensor 504 is less than (or greater than) a pre-configured threshold(i.e., outside of prescribed limits), the networked controller enters: apressure compensation mode. In this mode, the network controller usesthe influence zone table to determine all the other cooling units thataffect this specific rack. The network controller then exchangesmessages with the controllers associated with these cooling units todetermine a new VFD speed that needs to be set at the associated coolingunit (thereby adjusting the volume of cooling air/liquid supplied by thecooling unit) in order to bring the pressure at the networked sensingdevice within the allowable range (i.e., within prescribed limits). Thenetworked controller can then use the calculated VFD speed to send aspeed set command to the cooling unit to cause the cooling unit toincrease or decrease the fan speed and thereby adjust the volume ofcooling air/liquid supplied by the cooling unit. If the differentialpressure measured at a particular reporting networked sensor 504 is lessthan a pre-configured threshold, the networked controller can commandthe cooling unit to increase the VFD speed to cause the cooling unit toincrease the fan speed and thereby increase the volume of coolingair/liquid supplied by the cooling unit. The increased volume of coolingair/liquid will cause a corresponding increase in pressure at thereporting networked sensor 504. Similarly, if the differential pressuremeasured at a particular reporting networked sensor 504 is greater thana pre-configured threshold, the networked controller can command thecooling unit to decrease the VFD speed to cause the cooling unit todecrease the fan speed and thereby decrease the volume of coolingair/liquid supplied by the cooling unit. The decreased volume of coolingair/liquid will cause a corresponding decrease in pressure at thereporting networked sensor 504.

In a particular embodiment, the behavior of a networked controller forcontrolling pressure can be described in detail below.

-   -   Configure the following parameters for the device:

 Sa = Amount of time controller waits for an ack from devices  smax =Maximum amount of time controller waits for ack  Pdef = Default fanspeed for cooling unit  izt = influence zone table containing a list ofdevices  CU = cooling unit associated with controller device forever do wait for messages from devices and controllers;  if message = <P, Pmax,id, L, mode, C> from a device then    C = Other controllers that affectthe same zone    Find zone and cooling information associated with id;   fspeed = Calculate new fan speed based on P and Pmax    Send <P,Pmax, id, L, CU, fspeed> to other controllers  else if message =<P,Pmax,id,L,CU,fspeedi> from controller i then    fspeed = function(fspeedi) over all i in C;    CU.fan speed = fspeed;    Monitor forchanges in fan speed of CU;    if detect changes in fan speed then     Wait for positive acknowledgement from device id;      if (positiveacknowledgement received) then        Send status, fan speed, togateway;        Send status, fan speed to other controllers;       Continue with normal operation      else if (no response fromdevice id) then        CU.fan speed = Pdef;        Send CU status tocontrollers and gateways;      end    else if no changes detected withinfixed amount of time then      Reset CU to its default status;      SendCRAC status to gateway;    end  end end

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the basic processing flow 700 fora particular embodiment. As shown, an example embodiment includes:receiving an alert message from a reporting wireless network sensor of aplurality of wireless network sensors via a wireless sensor network, thealert message including information indicative of a modification neededto an environmental condition (processing block 710); and using theinformation indicative of a modification needed to an environmentalcondition at a networked controller to command a device capable ofmodifying the environmental condition to modify the environmentalcondition in a manner corresponding to the information in the alertmessage (processing block 710).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the basic processing flow 800 foranother particular embodiment. As shown, an example embodiment includes:defining one or more influence zones, each influence zone includinginformation identifying one or more networked controllers that cancontrol a device capable of modifying an environmental condition withineach influence zone (processing block 810); sensing an environmentalcondition within a particular influence zone (processing block 815);using the influence zone information to determine which one of the oneor more networked controllers can control a device capable of modifyingthe environmental condition within the particular influence zone(processing block 820); and sending an alert message, via a wirelesssensor network, to the network controller determined able to control thedevice capable of modifying the environmental condition within theparticular influence zone, the alert message including informationindicative of a modification needed to the environmental condition(processing block 825).

Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of variousembodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computersystems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions ofan application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system isapplicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

In example embodiments, a node configured by an application mayconstitute a “module” that is configured and operates to perform certainoperations as described herein. In other embodiments, the “module” maybe implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, a module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., within a special-purpose processor) to perform certainoperations. A module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry(e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or otherprogrammable processor) that is temporarily configured by software toperform certain operations. It will be appreciated that the decision toimplement a module mechanically, in the dedicated and permanentlyconfigured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g.,configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.Accordingly, the term “module” should be understood to encompass afunctional entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired) or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner and/or to performcertain operations described herein.

While the machine-readable medium 219 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies described herein. The term “machine-readable medium” shallaccordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-statememories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals.

As noted, the software and/or related data may be transmitted over anetwork using a transmission medium. The term “transmission medium”shall be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing,encoding or carrying instructions for transmission to and execution bythe machine, and includes digital or analog communication signals orother intangible media to facilitate transmission and communication ofsuch software and/or data.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of components and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the descriptionprovided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures hereinare merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”,“lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposesonly and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials,geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied tosuit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be includedin, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoingexamples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the variousembodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.74(b) to allow thereader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technicaldisclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that itwill not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more featuresthan are expressly recited in each claim. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

Thus, as described above, an apparatus and method for controllingenvironmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh networksis disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been describedwith reference to several example embodiments, it may be understood thatthe words that have been used are words of description and illustration,rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purviewof the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter inall its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has beendescribed with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: defining one or more influence zones,a particular influence zone of the one or more influence zones includinginformation identifying one or more networked controllers that cancontrol a device capable of modifying an environmental condition withinthe particular influence zone; receiving an alert message from areporting wireless network sensor via a wireless sensor network, thewireless sensor network comprising a plurality of stationary wirelessnetwork sensors in wireless data communication, each wireless networksensor being configured to sense at least one environmental conditionand configured to route data to and from other wireless network sensorsof the wireless sensor network, the alert message being routed from thereporting wireless network sensor to a gateway by transiting through atleast one intermediate stationary wireless network sensor of thewireless sensor network, the alert message including informationindicative of to modification needed to an environmental condition;using the influence one information to determine which one of the one ormore networked controllers can control a device capable of modifying theenvironmental condition within the particular influence zone; and usingthe information indicative of a modification needed to an environmentalcondition at a networked controller to command the device capable ofmodifying, the environmental condition within the particular influencezone to modify the environmental condition in a manner corresponding tothe information in the alert message.
 2. The method as claimed in claim1 including receiving feedback information from the reporting wirelessnetwork sensor after the network controller has commanded the devicecapable of modifying the environmental condition.
 3. The method aclaimed in claim 1 wherein the device capable of modifying theenvironmental condition is a cooling unit.
 4. The method as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the environmental condition is a temperature.
 5. Themethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein the environmental condition is apressure.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 including receiving thealert message from the gateway.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1including determining if the environmental condition is withinprescribed limits.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1 includingcommanding the device to modify a fan speed.
 9. A method comprising:defining one or more influence zones, a particular influence zone of theone or more influence zones including information identifying one ormore networked controllers that can control a device capable ofmodifying an environmental condition within the particular influencezone; sensing an environmental condition within the particular influencezone; using the influence zone information to determine which one of theone or more networked controllers can control a device capable ofmodifying the environmental condition within the particular influencezone; and sending an alert message, via a wireless sensor network, to anetwork controller determined able to control the device capable ofmodifying the environmental condition within the particular influencezone, the wireless sensor network comprising a plurality of stationarywireless network sensors in wireless data communication, each wirelessnetwork sensor being configured to sense at least one environmentalcondition and configured to route data to and from other wirelessnetwork sensors of the wireless sensor network, the alert message beingrouted to the network controller by transiting through at least oneintermediate stationary wireless network sensor of the wireless sensornetwork, the alert message including information indicative of amodification needed to the environmental condition, the informationindicative of as modification needed to the environmental conditionbeing used to command the device capable of modifying the environmentalcondition to modify the environmental condition in a mannercorresponding to the information in the alert message.
 10. The method asclaimed in claim 9 including sending feedback information to the networkcontroller determined able to control the device capable of modifyingthe environmental condition within the particular influence zone afterthe network controller has commanded the device capable of modifying theenvironmental condition.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 9 whereinthe device capable of modifying the environmental condition is a coolingunit.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the environmentalcondition is a temperature.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 9 whereinthe environmental condition is a pressure.
 14. The method as claimed inclaim 9 including sending the alert message via a gateway in thewireless sensor network.
 15. The method as claimed in claim 9 includingdetermining if the environmental condition is within prescribed limits.16. A networked sensing device comprising: a storage component to storeinformation related to one or more influence zones, a particularinfluence zone of the one or more influence zones including informationidentifying one or more networked controllers that can control as devicecapable of modifying an environmental condition within the particularinfluence zone; a sensing component to sense an environmental conditionwithin the particular influence zone, the sensing component using theinfluence zone information to determine which one of the one or morenetworked controllers can control a device capable of modifying theenvironmental condition within the particular influence zone; and anetwork communication component to send an alert message, via a wirelesssensor network, to a network controller determined able to control thedevice capable of modifying the environmental condition within theparticular influence zone, the wireless sensor network comprising aplurality of stationary wireless network sensors in wireless datacommunication, each wireless network sensor being configured to sense atleast one environmental condition and configured to route data to andfrom other wireless network sensors of the wireless sensor network, thealert message being routed to the network controller by transitingthrough at least one intermediate stationary wireless network sensor ofthe wireless sensor network, the alert message including informationindicative of a modification needed to the environmental condition, theinformation indicative of a modification needed to the environmentalcondition being used to command the device capable of modifying theenvironmental condition to modify the environmental condition in amanner corresponding to the information in the alert message.
 17. Thenetworked sensing device as claimed in claim 16 being further configuredto send feedback information to the network controller determined ableto control the device capable of modifying the environmental conditionwithin the particular influence zone after the network controller hascommanded the device capable of modifying the environmental condition.18. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium having machine executable instructionsembedded thereon, which when executed by a machine, cause the machineto: store information related to one or more influence zones, aparticular influence zone of the one or more influence zones includinginformation identifying one or more networked controllers that cancontrol as device capable of modifying an environmental condition withinthe particular influence zone; sense an environmental condition withinthe particular influence zone; use the influence zone information todetermine which one of the one or more networked controllers can controla device capable of modifying the environmental condition within theparticular influence zone; and send an alert message, via a wirelesssensor network, to a network controller determined able to control thedevice capable of modifying the environmental condition within theparticular influence zone, the wireless sensor network comprising aplurality of stationary wireless network sensors in wireless datacommunication, each wireless network sensor being configured to sense atleast one environmental condition and configured to mute data to andfrom other wireless network sensors of the wireless sensor network, thealert message being routed to the network controller by transitingthrough at least one intermediate stationary wireless network sensor ofthe wireless sensor network, the alert message including informationindicative of a modification needed to the environmental condition, theinformation indicative of a modification needed to the environmentalcondition being used to command the device capable of modifying theenvironmental condition to modify the environmental condition in amanner corresponding to the information in the alert message.
 19. Thearticle of manufacture as claimed in claim 18 being further configuredto send feedback information to the network controller determined ableto control the device capable of modifying the environmental conditionwithin the particular influence zone after the network controller hascommanded the device capable of modifying the environmental condition.20. A system comprising: a wireless sensor network comprising aplurality of stationary wireless network sensors in wireless datacommunication, each wireless network sensor being configured to sense atleast one environmental condition and configured to route data to andfrom other wireless network sensors of the wireless sensor network; oneor more networked controllers in data communication via the wirelesssensor network, the one or more networked controllers being configuredto control a device capable of modifying an environmental conditionwithin a particular influence zone of the one or more influence zones;and the plurality of stationary wireless network sensors in datacommunication with the one or more networked controllers via thewireless sensor network, each of the plurality of wireless networksensors being configured to stare information related to the one or moreinfluence zones, a particular influence zone of the one or moreinfluence zones including information identifying the one or morenetworked controllers that can control the device capable of modifyingthe environmental condition within the particular influence zone, eachof the plurality of wireless network sensors being further configured tosense an environmental condition within the particular influence zoneand to use the influence zone information to determine which one of theone or more networked controllers can control a device capable ofmodifying the environmental condition within the particular influencezone, and each of the plurality of wireless network sensors beingfurther configured to send an alert message, via the wireless sensornetwork, to a network controller determined able to control the devicecapable of modifying the environmental condition within the particularinfluence zone, the alert message being routed to the network controllerby transiting through at least one intermediate stationary wirelessnetwork sensor of the wireless sensor network, the alert messageincluding information indicative of a modification needed to theenvironmental condition, the information indicative of a modificationneeded to the environmental condition being used to command the devicecapable of modifying the environmental condition to modify theenvironmental condition in a manner corresponding to the information inthe alert message.
 21. The system as claimed in claim 20 wherein each ofthe plurality of wireless network sensors being configured to sendfeedback information to the network controller determined able tocontrol the device capable of modifying the environmental conditionwithin the particular influence zone after the network, controller hascommanded the device capable of modifying the environmental condition.